Alajuelense’s Ramirez pleased to progress in CCL

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Following a scoreless draw in the first leg last week, Alajuelense secured its first-ever berth in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) semifinals with a 2-0 win at Arabe Unido on Thursday.

The Manudos are unbeaten in five straight games in the competition and 11 of their last 14. Head coach Oscar Ramirez expressed satisfaction with his team’s achievement.

“We knew that the game was going to be emotional,” said Ramirez. “It was important to score the goal quickly, we had it planned since Costa Rica. After the goal, Arabe Unido had to take risks. We were settling in and the second goal was everything. Arabe Unido was a worthy opponent, they show that Panamanian football is growing.”

The first goal came in the sixth minute through in-form striker Jerry Palacios. The Honduras international, who also scored in a 1-0 win at Club America last October to clinch Alajuelense’s place in the knockout rounds, now has eight career tallies in the competition.

Jonathan McDonald became the club’s all-time leading CCL scorer with four goals, when he made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.

Ramirez and his players have little time to celebrate. They must focus on semifinal opponent Toluca, which -- like Alajuelense – is a two-time CONCACAF champion. The first leg will be played on April 1 in Costa Rica.

“Now the goal is to get that desired final,” the 49-year-old added. “We are among the four best in the area. It is not going to be easy against Toluca, but regardless, we will try to grab the advantage on our turf.”

GET CONCACAF NEWS

IN YOUR INBOX

RELATED NEWS YOU'LL LIKE

T&T int’l Boatswain joins Alajuelense

Alajuelense announced Tuesday the signing of Trinidad & Tobago international Jamille Boatswain on a reported two-year contract.

Palacios prepping Plaza Amador for Apertura, CONCACAF League

With its 2017 Panamanian Apertura opener slightly more than two weeks away, head coach Jair Palacios is preparing Plaza Amador for what could be busy domestic and international campaigns.

Toronto FC qualifies for Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League

Toronto FC earned a berth in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League with a 2-1 win over 10-man Impact de Montreal Impact in the second leg of the 2017 Canadian Championship final (agg: 3-2) Tuesday night.

CONCACAF Announces Schedule of Round of 16 Matchups for 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) unveiled today dates and kickoff times for the Round of 16 schedule for the 2017 edition of the Scotiabank CONCACAF League.

Panama int’l Dixon joins Aguila

Panama international Richard Dixon has signed a two-year deal with Aguila, the Salvadoran club announced Monday.